Aug 5, 2026
Show Notes, Guest: Emily Haws, Brand Strategist & Em in the Kitchen
Recorded at: Foppiano Vineyards and J Vineyads in Healdsburg, CA
In this episode, host Executive Director, Katie Ambrosi sits down with Emily Haws — brand strategist, foodie extraordinaire, and the woman behind the beloved social handle @EmintheKitchen — to talk about her deep love of food, her journey into the wine world, and her work helping bring the Wine Road's historic 50th Anniversary Gala to life.
What we cover:
- How Emily's passion for food began (blackberries, church, and getting in trouble)
- Her background working with food brands including Grocery Outlet and dessert companies
- The magic of food and wine pairing — green papaya salad + Viognier = mind blown
- Her top 5 most memorable food experiences, from Catelli's in her wedding dress to dining with James Beard Lifetime Achievement Award winners in Nashville
- Les Dames d'Escoffier — the international women-in-food organization Emily serves on the board of in Sonoma County
- Birds & Bubbles fundraiser: champagne + fried chicken at Bacchus Landing
- Emily's role consulting for Foppiano Vineyards and Martin Ray
- The 50th Anniversary Wine Road Gala at Foppiano — tickets selling fast!
Restaurants & places mentioned:
Velasco's (Petaluma)
Khom Loi (Sebastopol) https://www.khomloisonoma.com/
Pizza Leah (Windsor) https://www.pizzaleah.com/
Catelli's (Geyserville) https://www.mycatellis.com/
Pastasciutta (Geyserville) https://www.sonomamag.com/geyservilles-pastasciutta-sells-fresh-pasta-sauces-and-italian-food-imports/
Trentadue Winery https://trentadue.com/
D'Argenzio Winery (Santa Rosa) https://www.dargenziowinery.com/
Lockeland Table (Nashville) https://www.lockelandtable.com/
Rustic Restaurant at Coppola 9Geyserville) https://www.francisfordcoppolawinery.com/rustic-restaurant/
Psychic Pie (Sebatopol) https://psychicpie.com/
Geyserville Grille (Geyserville) https://geyservilleinn.com/geyserville-grille/
Diavola (Geyserville) https://www.diavolapizzeria.com/
Bohemian Bistro (Occidental) https://www.bohemianbistrorr.com/
Howard Station (Occidental) https://howardstationcafe.com/
Inn at Occidental https://www.innatoccidental.com/
Russian River Brewing (Windsor & Santa Rosa) https://www.russianriverbrewing.com/
Parliament Brewing https://www.parliamentbrewing.com/
Soco Paella https://www.facebook.com/p/SoCo-Paella-100054542795533/
John Ash & Co. https://vinarosaresort.com/dining/john-ash/
Mamadios https://www.mamadios.com/
Links:
- Wine Road Northern Sonoma County
- 50th Anniversary Gala tickets: https://www.wineroad.com/home/attachment/wineroad50thanniversarygala/
- Birds & Bubbles fundraiser info: Les Dames d'Escoffier Sonoma Chapter: https://www.lesdamessoco.org/events
- Em in the Kitchen: @eminthekitchen https://eminthekitchen.com/
- The Cellar Stories https://www.thecellarstories.com/